First records of Elachistinae from New Caledonia: evidence of repeated dispersal events with Australia (Lepidoptera, Gelechioidea, Elachistidae)

2017·6.7 MB·English

by  Lauri Kaila

Zootaxa 4300 (4): 536–550 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)
Article ZOOTAXA
http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/
Copyright © 2017 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)
https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4300.4.4
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CF0B4323-43D0-4326-948F-AB9647E1A2C3
First records of Elachistinae from New Caledonia: evidence of repeated dispersal
events with Australia (Lepidoptera, Gelechioidea, Elachistidae)
LAURI KAILA
Finnish Museum of Natural History, Zoology Unit, P.O. Box 17, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
E-mail [email protected]
Abstract
The first records of Elachistinae (Lepidoptera, Elachistidae) are reported from New Caledonia. Eight species are recog-
nized. Elachista cynopa Meyrick is reported outside Australia for the first time. All other species are described as new:
Elachista concubia sp. nov., E. achlyodes sp. nov., E. scoteina sp. nov., E. cardiaca sp. nov., E. dilobates sp. nov., E.
vespertina sp. nov. and E. fugax sp. nov. All the new species have sister-species level relatives in Australia. E. fugax is
attributed to Elachista sg. Elachista. All other species are placed in Elachista sg. Atachia. Following Kaila’s (2011) system
E. achlyodes and E. concubia belong to the E. catarata section of the E. gerasmia group; E. cardiaca, E. dilobates, E.
scoteina and E. vespertina belong to the E. gerasmia section of E. gerasmia group. Further, E. cardiaca is a member of
the E. paragauda species complex, E. scoteina a member of the E. gerasmia species complex, and E. dilobates, E. ves-
pertina of the E. cynopa species complex; E. dilobates is morphologically close to E. toryna Kaila. This pattern suggests
at least six separate dispersal events between Australia and New Caledonia.
Key words: Biogeography, description, distribution, new species
Introduction
Elachistinae (Gelechiodea: Elachistidae), as currently delimited (Kaila & Sugisima 2011, Heikkilä et al. 2014), is
represented by about 700 recognized species (Kaila 2011) of generally small-sized moths. The prevailing
hypothesis was that the species in the subfamily occurred predominantly in the Northern Hemisphere (see, e.g.,
Braun 1948; Traugott-Olsen & Nielsen 1977; Sinev & Sruoga 1995, Kaila 1996, 1997, 1999b, Sugisima 2005a,b,
Kaila et al. 2015, Mutanen et al. 2013). This view, however, is challenged as a result of more targeted collecting
and study of the fauna of the Southern Hemisphere. Recent studies and reviews of the elachistine fauna of
Subsaharan Africa (De Prins & De Prins 2016, De Prins & Sruoga 2012, Sruoga & De Prins 2009, 2011); South
America (Kaila 2000 and Sruoga 2010); New Zealand summarized by Dugdale (1988); and Australia by Kaila
(2011) imply that the Southern Hemisphere hosts a large diversity of Elachistinae, in terms of supraspcific taxa,
diverse morphologies and species number. The Southern fauna has already proven to provide crucial insight for the
understanding of the phylogeny of the subfamily (Kaila & Sugisima 2011). However, there are still large
geographic areas with few or no published records of Elachistinae, most notably China and Central America
including Mexico. All this considered, the Southern Hemisphere is still quite fragmentarily explored in nearly
every region as evidenced in the new species discovered in this work.
While New Caledonia hosts a rich endemic flora in species, generic and even higher ranks, associated with
ultrabasic rocks (e.g. Balgooy 1971), observations on macroheteroceran groups such as Noctuoidea, Geometroidea
and Bombycoidea (Holloway 1993), suggest a different biogeographic pattern. According to Holloway (1993),
many moths found on New Caledonia also occur on other islands in the south Pacific, and the New Caledonian
endemics have sister-group relationships with individual species in the Papuan subregion, Australia, or taxa more
localized in the southwest Pacific. The published knowledge on New Caledonian Microlepidoptera is generally
scanty with no systematic treatment available. Recent contributions, in addition to those mentioned above have
been made by, e.g., Gaedike (1981), Tuck (1981), Adamski & Brown (2002), Dugdale (2005), Sobczyk (2013) and
536 Accepted by J.-F. Landry: 16 Jun. 2017; published: 4 Aug. 2017
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
Razowski (2013, 2014). These works do not discuss in detail the historical biogeography of the taxa treated.
Micropterigidae, an old group of Lepidoptera, suggest a different pattern than the macroheterocaran groups (Gibbs
2010, 2014; Gibbs & Lees 2014). These authors emphasize the presence of archaic elements present in New
Caledonian Micropterigidae. Gibbs and Lees (2014) postulate the diverse Micropterigidae fauna of New Caledonia
to be derived from taxa of New Zealand, both areas being remnants of the largely submerged continental plate
Zealandia sensu Mortimer (2008) rather than another, predominantly Australian clade in this family. According to
Gibbs and Lees (2014) the Zealandian group of Micropterigidae is thus supposed to be older than tectonic rifts of
the area. Likewise, Horak (1984) postulates that Williella Horak, 1984 an endemic New Caledonian, fern-feeding
genus of Tortricidae, to be of archaic origin.
The elachistine fauna is currently reasonably well documented in Australia (Kaila (2011) and New Zealand
(Dugdale 1988), but other southeast parts of Asia and the Pacific are nearly unexplored. It is likely that the real
elachistine diversity of New Caledonia will eventually prove to be much higher if focused collecting efforts,
especially rearing of larvae, are undertaken (cf. Kaila 2011 on Australian fauna). Such studies are not expected in
the foreseeable future. In this paper, the first records of Elachistinae are reported from New Caledonia. The present
material, even though scarce, is deemed worth reporting, in particular due to its biogeographic implications.
Specimens treated in the present publication have been collected as a result of several, separate trips targeting
Lepidoptera in general.
Material
The material comprises 13 specimens, representing eight species. Specimens treated here are housed in the
National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, U.S.A. (USNM). Some vouchers are
preserved in the collection of the Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Finland (MZH).
The systematic placement of species follows Kaila (2011), where the relevant species groups are also
diagnosed. Terms for wing pattern and anatomical structures follow Traugott-Olsen & Nielsen (1977), Kaila
(1999a) and Kaila & Sugisima (2011). The specific epithets of the new species are nouns in apposition.
Elachista concubia sp. nov.
Figs 1, 10
Type material. Holotype ♂: New Caledonia, 22°15’S 166°38’E Col de Mouirange, 225 m, 27.X.1986, UV trap, R.
Brown & O. Pellmyr leg., Genitalia slide by L. Kaila, UNSM 142,821 (USNM).
Diagnosis. Elachista concubia has the forewing ground colour pale grey, mottled with brownish-grey tips of
scales. The only wing pattern is formed of prominent, dark brownish-grey plical and discal spots, and strongly
mottled fringe formed of dark brownish-grey -tipped scales. Externally it is close to E. scoteina, from which it
differs by its paler forewing ground colour and the much more prominent plical and discal spots. The male genitalia
are most similar to those of the externally entirely different, yellow Australian E. ictera Kaila, 2011, with a similar
row of teeth in distal part of sacculus, and especially E. crocospila Kaila, 2011 and its relatives which are externally
also different as having narrower, nearly black forewing with a pattern consisting of at most two small white spots.
E. concubia shares a very characteristic apex of phallus with these species: its upper margin is distally strongly
sclerotized and bent as a hook, and possesses a distally situated prominent, acute-tipped cornutus.
Description. Forewing length 4 mm. Labial palpus ascending, length 1.2 x diameter of head; basal half of
second segment, and apex of distal segment grey, otherwise white above; underside of second segment and apex of
third segment mottled, dark grey, otherwise white. Head, scape and pedicel, neck tuft, patagia and thorax dirty
white, sparsely mottled with grey tips of scattered scales. Pecten consisting of a few narrow scales, pale grey.
Flagellum unicolorous, dark grey. Foreleg leaden grey, apex of tibia and tarsomeres slightly paler grey [other legs
missing in the specimen]. Forewing ground colour formed of basally bluish white and distally broadly grey scales;
at middle of wing length at fold prominent, elongate plical spot; another similar spot at 2/3 of wing length; fold and
area distad of discal spot paler than wing otherwise. Fringe concolorous with ground colour, at apex pale.
Hindwing and underside of both wings grey.
NEW CALEDONIA ELACHISTA Zootaxa 4300 (4) © 2017 Magnolia Press · 537
FIGURES 1–9. External appearance of Elachista spp. Scale 2 mm. 1. E. concubia sp. nov., ♂ holotype. 2. E. achlyodes sp.
nov., ♂ holotype. 3. E. scoteina sp. nov., ♂ holotype. 4. E. cardiaca sp. nov., ♂ holotype. 5. E. dilobates sp. nov., ♂ holotype.
6. E. vespertina sp. nov., ♂ holotype. 7. E. cynopa Meyrick (New Caledonia, Mt. Dzumac). 8. E. cynopa Meyrick (Australia;
ACT, Black Mountain; a reared specimen). 9. E. fugax sp. nov., ♂ holotype.
Male genitalia. Uncus lobes medially separated by broad U-shaped indentation; lobe as long as wide, median
margin straight, meeting distal margin at an obtuse angle; distal margin straight, lateral margin rounded; ventral
surface distally and laterally broadly covered by cylindrical scales arising from erect pinaculae. Basal arms of
gnathos twice as long as uncus lobe, distally separate. Spinose knob of gnathos oval, about 1.5 x as long as wide.
Basal 3/4 of valva parallel-sided; basal fold of costa extended to 1/4 length of valva, distal fold long, narrow,
extended to 4/5 length of valva where fades without distinct limit; cucullus narrower than rest of valva, rounded,
bent towards costa; sacculus nearly straight, distally tapered and with two indistinct and three prominent teeth.
Digitate process 1/5 length of valva, narrowest and bent medially, with a few setae. Median plate of juxta rounded,
concave without lateral or posterior extensions. Juxta lobes small, laterally produced, medially distinctly separated
from each other, without setae; median margin short and convex joining distal margin without an angle, distal
margin straight, lateral margin concave. Vinculum large, U-shaped, without median ridge. Phallus as long as valva,
straight, 6 x as long as its width medially; insertion of ductus ejaculatorius dorsally directed; caecum blunt, shorter
than width of basal opening of phallus; distal opening extended to distal 2/3 of phallus; apex dorsally curved to
form prominent strongly sclerotized hook and with triangular lobe; straight horn-shaped cornutus present at apex.
Female genitalia. Unknown.
Biology. The collecting site is characterized by Holloway (1979) as “mainly dry, bushy maquis with an area of
Gymnostoma association in the valley bottom.”
Distribution. New Caledonia.
Etymology. The name is derived from the Latin word concubium, ‘the part of night covered by first sleep’, i.e.
late dusk. This refers to the wing colour which is not bright as day but not dark as night, either.
Remarks. The overall similarity with the Australian E. ictera and E. crocospila with shared unique characters
(see Diagnosis), both placed at the E. catarata section, suggests that E. concubia is also a representative of this
species group.
538 · Zootaxa 4300 (4) © 2017 Magnolia Press KAILA
FIGURES 10–12. Male genitalia of Elachista spp. 10. E. concubia sp. nov., ♂ holotype. Left: general image of genitalia,
phallus in same scale. Right top: juxta and digitate processes. Right bottom: apex of phallus enlarged. 11. E. achlyodes sp. nov.,
♂ holotype. Left: general image of genitalia, phallus in same scale. Right top: juxta and digitate processes. Right bottom: apex
of phallus enlarged. 12. E. scoteina sp. nov., ♂ holotype. Left: general image of genitalia, phallus in same scale. Right top:
juxta and digitate processes. Right bottom: phallus enlarged.
NEW CALEDONIA ELACHISTA Zootaxa 4300 (4) © 2017 Magnolia Press · 539
Elachista achlyodes sp. nov.
Figs 2, 11
Type material. Holotype ♂: New Caledonia 20°24’S 160°11’E Mandjelia, 650 m, 20.–21.II.1984 M. Pogue & M.
Epstein leg., Genitalia slide by L. Kaila, USNM 142,823 (USNM).
Diagnosis. Elachista achlyodes is a species with dark grey forewing ground colour. Its only pattern is formed
of even darker, prominent discal and plical spots. It is darker than other New Caledonian species, and according to
the shape of male genitalia close to the Australian E. aluta Kaila, 2011 and E. sphaerella Kaila, 2011. The
characteristics in common with these species are the long and distally broadened uncus lobes, the narrow and
elongate spinose knob of the gnathos and the very long and narrow digitate process. The phallus with its small
dorsal tooth at apex, however, is more reminiscent to the Australian E. flammula Kaila, 2011. It is lacking in E.
aluta and E. sphaerella. This character also distinguishes E. achlyodes from other New Caledonian species. The
shape of the juxta lobes with a distinct angle at medial margin distinguishes E. achlyodes from all the related
Australian species.
Description. Forewing length 3.8 mm. Labial palpus ascending, 1.2 x diameter of head; second segment and
median part of third segment bluish white above, mottled dark grey below. Scales of head, neck tuft, patagia,
thorax, scape and pedicel iridescent, bluish grey, dark grey tipped. Pecten formed of a few narrow scales at the base
of scape. Flagellum dark grey, serrate in distal half. Scales of legs iridescent, bluish grey, dark grey-tipped, tibia
and tarsomeres with pale distal rings; hind tibia basally broadly pale. Forewing ground colour consisting of basally
blue, distally dark grey scales with bronzy sheen; plical spot black, elongate, at 1/2 wing length at fold, fold
outward with a few black, raised scales; discal spot similar to plical spot, at 3/4 wing length in the middle of wing;
fringe scales grey as forewing ground colour; underside dark grey. Hindwing and underside of both wings dark
grey with concolorous fringe.
Male genitalia. Uncus lobes medially separated by deep drop-shaped indentation; lobe three times as long as
wide, spoon-shaped, basally narrow, distally somewhat broadened and rounded; ventral surface distolaterally
broadly covered by cylindrical scales arising from erect pinaculae. Basal arms of gnathos as long as uncus lobe,
distally separate. Spinose knob of gnathos small, diamond-shaped, over twice as long as wide at its wides point.
Valva 4 x as long as wide, parallel-sided; basal fold of costa straight, extended to 2/3 length of valva, distal fold
broad triangular, extended to 6/7 length of valva where it fades and where cucullus is twisted on top of costa
forming distinct hump; sacculus nearly straight, apically with curved horn-like spine; sacculus joining cucullus at
an angle of 100°; cucullus small, produced towards costa. Digitate process 2/5 length of valva, straight, narrow
medially, distally twice wider than in its narrowest point and blunt, sparsely covered with setae medially and
distally. Median plate of juxta concave without lateral or posterior extensions, oval. Juxta lobe laterally produced,
medial margin short and straight joining distal margin without angle; medial 2/3 of distal margin slightly concave,
lateral part concave, with a group of setae at distal angle. Vinculum U-shaped. Phallus weakly bent, S-shaped,
somewhat tapered towards apex, 8.8 x as long as wide in the middle of its length; length 7/8 x as long as valva;
insertion of ductus ejaculatorius dorsoposteriorly directed; caecum blunt, as long as width of basal opening of
phallus; distal opening of phallus extended to distal 2/3 of phallus; apex dorsally bent, tapered to tip; cornuti
absent.
Female genitalia. Unknown.
Biology. Unknown.
Distribution. New Caledonia.
Etymology. The name is derived from the Greek word achlys, ‘darkness’. This refers to the dark grey wing
colour of E. achlyodes.
Remarks. The overall similarity of E. achlyodes to the Australian E. aluta and E. sphaerella, but in some
respects, also to E. flammula, all placed in the E. catarata section, suggests that E. achlyodes is also a
representative of this species group.
Elachista scoteina sp. nov.
Figs 3, 12
Type material. Holotype ♂: New Caledonia 22°3’S 166°26’40’’E Mt. Dzumac, 820 m, 25.Oct.1986 UV trap R.
540 · Zootaxa 4300 (4) © 2017 Magnolia Press KAILA
Brown & O. Pellmyr leg. (USNM), genitalia slide by L. Kaila USNM 142.816. Paratypes: 3 ♂; 2 ♂ with the same
collection data as in the holotype, 1 ♂ collected 2.Nov.1986; genitalia slides by L. Kaila USNM 142,817, 142,813,
(USNM, 1 paratype with genitalia slide L. Kaila 6103 in MZH).
Diagnosis. Elachista scoteina is a medium-sized elachistine species with forewing ground colour mottled,
leaden grey. The only wing pattern is formed by small plical and discal spots. The male genitalia are most similar to
those of E. physalodes Kaila, 2011 that occurs in Australia and New Zealand. These species, as well as the closely
related E. gerasmia Meyrick, 1889, are characterized particularly by their prolonged juxta lobes. E. gerasmia is
readily distinguished by its larger size and forewing colour that varies from ochreous to dark chocolate brown. E.
physalodes is more narrow-winged than E. scoteina and its forewing is not as mottled. The male genitalia of E.
scoteina and E. physalodes differ as follows: the spinose knob of gnathos is rounded in E. physalodes, elongate
with straight or slightly concave posterior margin in E. scoteina; the cucullus is more prolonged in E. physalodes
than in E. scoteina; the digitate process is longer in E. scoteina than in E. physalodes; the juxta lobes are different
in their form as follows: mesial margin is S-shaped in E. physalodes, straight or neary evenly curved in E. scoteina;
mesial margin joins distal margin in a right angle in E. scoteina, in acute angle in E. physalodes; distal margin has
a straight, posteriorly directed extension that joins the valval process in E. scoteina; there is ony short, laterally
directed extension in E. physalodes.
Description. Forewing length 4.5–5.5 mm (n = 4 ♂). Labial palpus ascending, length 1.2 x diameter of head,
white with apex of third segment grey above; below evenly fuscous grey except apex of second segment white.
Head, scape, pedicel and neck tuft grey, mottled with darker tips of scales. Pecten formed of a few narrow, grey
scales at the base of scape. Flagellum thick, leaden grey, annulated with dark grey rings. Foreleg varying from
ochreous grey to dark, leaden grey, spurs ochreous; midleg ochreous grey with tibia and tarsomeres white distally.
Hindleg ochreous grey, tarsomeres grey, distally pale. Forewing grey, densely mottled with darker grey tips of
scales given the impression of forewing being leaden grey; plical spot dark grey, small and elongate, at middle of
wing length at fold; discal spot similar, at 2/3 wing length in middle; fringe scales concolorous with forewing
colour, shorter fringe scales distally dark grey forming indistinct fringe line along termen. Hindwing grey, fringe
scales concolorous; underside of both wings grey with fringe scales concolorous.
Male genitalia. Uncus lobes medially separated by narrow, U-shaped incision; lobe twice as long as wide,
somewhat tapered, distal margin rounded, ventral surface distolaterally with cylindrical scales arising from erect
pinaculae. Basal arms of gnathos as long as uncus lobe, distally separate. Spinose knob of gnathos large, slightly
tapered. Valva 3.5 x as long as wide, parallel-sided; basal fold of costa vestigial, distal fold narrow, extended to 5/6
length of valva; sacculus basally slightly concave, medially straight, distally slightly bent towards cucullus, without
distal spine, joining cucullus without clear delimitation; cucullus rounded, bent towards costa. Digitate process 1/4
length of valva, straight, parallel-sided, distally blunt, with scales medially and setae distally. Median plate of juxta
oval, concave without lateral or posterior extensions. Juxta lobe prolonged, medial margin basally curved, medially
straight, distally with medially directed, acute-tipped lobe formed of medially extended distal margin distal margin
straight, laterally extended; lateral margin straight, strongly sclerotized. Vinculum long, narrow U-shaped, without
medial ridge. Phallus 8/9 length of valva, acute-tipped, broadest and evenly bent in basal half; insertion of ductus
ejaculatorius dorsoposteriorly directed; caecum blunt, as long as width of basal opening of phallus; distal opening
extended to distal 4/5 of phallus; in vesica no spinules or granules; cornuti absent.
Female genitalia. Unknown.
Biology. The collecting site is near an open maquis habitat (Holloway 1979). All other four species assigned to
the E. gerasmia species complex by Kaila (2011) feed on Juncus spp. (Juncaceae), so this genus is a likely host
candidate for E. scoteina.
Distribution. New Caledonia.
Etymology. The name is derived from the Greek word scoteinos, ‘darkness; gloom’. This refers to the wing
colour of E. scoteina.
Elachista cardiaca sp. nov.
Figs 4, 13
Type material. Holotype ♂: New Caledonia, 22°6’S 166°40’20’’E Riviére Bleue 8.Nov.1986 R. Brown & O.
Pellmyr leg. Genitalia slide by L. Kaila USNM 142,822 (USNM).
NEW CALEDONIA ELACHISTA Zootaxa 4300 (4) © 2017 Magnolia Press · 541
FIGURES 13–15. 13. E. cardiaca sp. nov., ♂ holotype. Left: general image of genitalia, phallus in same scale. Right top: juxta
and digitate processes. Right bottom: phallus enlarged. 14. E. dilobates sp. nov., ♂ holotype. Left: general image of genitalia,
phallus in same scale. Right top: juxta and digitate processes. Right bottom: phallus enlarged. 15. E. vespertina sp. nov., ♂
holotype. Left: general image of genitalia, phallus in same scale. Right top: juxta and digitate processes. Right bottom: phallus
enlarged.
Diagnosis. Elachista cardiaca is a medium-sized species. Its forewing is pale grey with nearly black
longitudinal plical spot at the middle of wing length at fold, and a small, rounded discal spot at 2/3 wing length in
the middle of wing. As such, it externally resembles E. vespertina and E. dilobates. From E. dilobates E. cardiaca
is readily distinguished by its heart-shaped spinose knob of gnathos, the narrower digitate process, the narrower
542 · Zootaxa 4300 (4) © 2017 Magnolia Press KAILA
phallus and the narrow, distally tapered valva as compared to those of E. dilobates. E. vespertina also has broader
phallus and valva than E. cardiaca. The uncus lobes of E. vespertina are narrower than in E. cardiaca. E. cardiaca
is similar to the species of the Australian E. paragauda species complex. Externally it differs from other species of
this complex by the paler and more unicolorous forewing (the single specimen known is somewhat worn and
therefore this character should be considered with caution). It lacks the longitudinal, broad, nearly white median
area making a contrast to otherwise darker, mottled grey colour, pattern typical of all known Australian relatives.
The male genitalia of E. cardiaca differ from other species of the E. paragauda complex by the shorter and less
curved apical lobe of the phallus and the somewhat more bent and distally more tapered digitate process.
Description. Forewing length 4.8 mm. Labial palpus ascending, length 1.2 x diameter of head, white above
with apex of third segment grey; evenly fuscous grey below except apex of second segment white. Head, scape,
pedicel and neck tuft grey, mottled with darker tips of scales. Pecten formed of row of narrow, grey scales.
Flagellum thick, dark grey. Foreleg varying from ochreous grey to dark, leaden grey, spurs ochreous; midleg
ochreous grey with tibia and tarsomeres white distally. Hindleg pale ochreous grey, tarsomeres grey, distally pale.
Forewing pale grey, along margins sparsely mottled with brownish grey scales; plical spot dark grey, elongate, at
middle of wing length at fold; discal spot small, rounded, at 2/3 wing length in middle, outwardly bound by small
white area; fringe scales concolorous with forewing colour, shorter fringe scales distally dark grey forming
indistinct fringe line along termen. Hindwing grey, fringe scales concolorous; underside of both wings grey with
concolorous fringe scales.
Male genitalia. Uncus lobes medially separated by U-shaped incision; lobe 1.5 x as long as wide, distal margin
rounded, ventral surface distolaterally with cylindrical scales arising from erect pinaculae. Basal arms of gnathos
1.5 x as long as uncus lobe, distally separate. Spinose knob of gnathos somewhat elongate, tapered distally, caudal
margin distinctly concave. Valva 4 x as long as wide at its widest point, medially somewhat broadened and evenly
tapered towards apex; basal fold of costa straight, indistinct, distal fold narrow, triangular, broadest distally,
extended to 5/6 length of valva, where cucullus somewhat twisted on top of costa forming low hump, distal fold
well defined; sacculus evenly curved, without distal spine and joining cucullus without clear delimitation; cucullus
narrow and elongate, distally rounded, slightly bent towards costa. Digitate process 1/3 length of valva, narrow,
sickle-shaped, narrowest at 1/3 length, with setae medially and distally. Median plate of juxta rectangular, concave
without lateral or posterior extensions. Juxta lobe with two setae at distal third, laterally produced; medial margin
straight joining distal margin at an obtuse angle; distal margin medially straight, laterally convex; lateral margin
concave. Vinculum narrow, U-shaped, without medial ridge. Phallus narrow, over 20 x as long as its width in the
middle of its length, almost as long as valva, evenly curved in basal 1/3, medially and distally bent, broadest in
basal half; insertion of ductus ejaculatorius dorsoposteriorly directed; caecum blunt, shorter than width of basal
opening of phallus; distal opening extended to distal 4/5 of phallus; along distal opening small folded lobe that is
joined to vesica; vesica without spinules or granules; cornuti absent.
Female genitalia. Unknown.
Biology. The specimen has been caught with UV light trap. The habitat is lowland rainforest on ultramafic
soils, with dominance of Gymnostoma (Casuarinaceae) vegetation (Holloway (1979).
Distribution. New Caledonia.
Etymology. The name is derived from the latinized form of the Greek word kardia, ‘heart’. It denotes the
heart-shaped gnathos of E. cardiaca.
Remarks. E. cardiaca is attributable to the E. paragauda complex on the basis of male genitalia; besides
overall similarity, the apex of the phallus is similarly bent and shaped, and the spinose knob of the gnathos is heart-
shaped. This complex of species has so far only been known from Australia. The E. paragauda complex consists of
a number of cryptic sibling taxa there (Kaila & Ståhls 2006). The representative of this complex are characterised
by their bizarre mine shape, and all constituent species have been found to feed on Lepidosperma spp.
(Cyperaceae) (Kaila 2011). This plant genus is also present in New Caledonia.
Elachista dilobates sp. nov.
Figs 5, 14
Type material. Holotype ♂: New Caledonia 22°02’S 166°28’E, Mt. Dzumac, 760 m, 16.–17.I.1984 M. Pogue &
M. Epstein leg., Genitalia slide by L. Kaila, USNM 142,819 (USNM).
NEW CALEDONIA ELACHISTA Zootaxa 4300 (4) © 2017 Magnolia Press · 543
Diagnosis. Elachista dilobates closely resembles the Australian E. toryna Kaila. E. dilobates is externally
paler than E. toryna, with its head and labial palpi fuscous white; the specimen known is somewhat worn so the
forewing colour cannot be established with certainty, but appears to be markedly paler than in E. toryna. The wing
pattern of E. dilobates solely consists of dark grey, elongate plical and discal spots. As compared to other New
Caledonian species, the male genitalia are characteristic with the long and curved digitate process and the distally
bent phallus. They also closely resemble those of E. toryna. They can be distinguished by the shorter uncus lobes,
the broader digitate process and the larger spinose knob of the gnathos of E. dilobates as compared to E. toryna.
The median plate of the juxta is wider in E. dilobates than in E. toryna.
Description. Forewing length 4.5 mm. Labial palpus ascending, length 1.2–1.3 x diameter of head; above
fuscous white; below powdered with a few grey-tipped scales in middle of second segment. Head fuscous white,
powdered with pale brown-tipped scales on vertex. Pecten absent. Scape and pedicel fuscous white below, grey
above; flagellomeres unicolorous grey. Thorax pale grey and powdered with brown-tipped scales. Legs
unicolorous ochreous white. Forewing ground colour not possible to establish with certainty as specimen is
somewhat worn; apparently dorsal and costal margin broadly consisting of pale, distally pale brown scales; medial
area pale fuscous, fold white (fold well protected from wearing so this pattern certainly real); plical spot small,
elongate, dark grey, at 1/3 wing length on dorsal side of fold; discal spot small, dark grey, elongate, at 2/3 wing
length in middle; fringe scales grey; underside dark grey with fringe scales paler grey. Hindwing grey with
concolorous fringe scales; underside grey.
Male genitalia. Uncus lobes medially separated by narrow, U-shaped incision; lobe as wide as long, with
rounded distal margin; ventral surface distolaterally broadly with cylindrical scales arising from erect pinaculae.
Basal arms of gnathos 1.5 x as long as uncus lobe, distally separate. Spinose knob of gnathos almost rounded.
Valva parallel-sided; basal fold of costa straight, extended to 1/4 length of valva, distal fold long, narrow, extended
to 4/5 length of valva where cucullus somewhat twisted on top of costa forming low hump; sacculus straight with
small and blunt spine distally; distal margin of cucullus straight, cucullus otherwise rounded and bent towards
costa. Digitate process 1/3 length of valva, sickle-shaped; broadest beyond middle where its width 1/4 of the length
of digitate process, distally blunt; densely covered by narrow and elongate scales medially and distally. Median
plate of juxta kidney-shaped, concave without lateral or posterior extensions. Juxta lobe laterally markedly
produced, with a few hair-like scales on a swelling near middle of distal margin, medial margin convex joining
distal margin without an angle; distal margin convex and medially somewhat truncate; lateral margin concave.
Vinculum broad, V-shaped. Phallus 11 x as long as its width in middle of its length; 5/6 length of valva, broadest in
basal half; insertion of ductus ejaculatorius dorsally directed; caecum blunt, as long as width of basal opening of
phallus; distal opening extended to middle of phallus; apex of phallus dorsally prolonged and bent; along distal
opening longitudinal distally bent sclerotisation that is joined to vesica; cornuti absent.
Female genitalia. Unknown.
Biology. The single known specimen was collected with UV light trap placed under a large Agathis tree
surrounded by open maquis habitat (R.L. Brown, pers. comm.).
Distribution. New Caledonia.
Etymology. The name is derived from the Greek word deile, ‘afternoon, evening’. This refers to the pale
forewing colour.
Elachista vespertina sp. nov.
Figs 6, 15
Type material. Holotype ♂: New Caledonia, 22°6’S 166°40’20’’E Riviére Bleue 8.Nov.1986 R. Brown & O.
Pellmyr leg. Genitalia slide by L. Kaila USNM 142,815 (USNM). Paratypes: 2 ♂: New Caledonia 22°5’15’’S
166°26’40’’E Mt. Dzumac, 675 m, 2.Nov.1986 UV trap R. Brown & O. Pellmyr leg. (USNM), genitalia slides by
L. Kaila USNM 142,814 (USNM), L. Kaila 6104 (MZH).
Diagnosis. Elachista vespertina is a nondescript pale grey species with plical and discal spots as the sole
pattern on the forewing. As such, it externally resembles most E. cardiaca and E. dilobates. The genitalia with the
very large spinose knob of gnathos and the narrow, tongue-shaped uncus lobes separate it from other New
Caledonian species as well as all Australian species attributable to the E. cynopa group.
544 · Zootaxa 4300 (4) © 2017 Magnolia Press KAILA
Description. Forewing length 4.5–5 mm. Labial palpus ascending, length 1.2–1.3 x diameter of head; fuscous
white, second segment fuscous below. Head pale. Pecten formed of a few narrow scales at the base of scape. Scales
of scape and pedicel pale grey, variably grey-tipped; flagellomeres unicolorous grey. Scales of neck tuft, tegula and
thorax pale grey, dark grey-tipped. Fore femur and tibia grey; tarsomeres dark grey with pale grey distal rings; mid
femur grey, tibia grey, mottled with dark grey-tipped scales, tarsomeres grey, distally pale; hind femur and tibia
pale grey below, dark grey above, tarsomeres inwardly pale, outwardly grey and distally pale, spurs grey. Forewing
ground colour pale grey, some scales distally brownish grey; fold broadly nearly white; plical spot elongate, dark
grey, at 1/3 wing length on dorsal side of fold; discal spot small, grey, at 2/3 wing length in middle; fringe scales
grey; underside grey with fringe scales concolorous. Hindwing grey, fringe scales concolorous; underside grey.
Male genitalia. Uncus lobes narrow, medially separated by U-shaped indentation; lobe 2 x as long as its width
basally; gradually narrowed towards rounded apex; ventral surface distally with a few cylindrical scales arising
from erect pinaculae. Basal arms of gnathos as long as uncus lobe, distally separate. Spinose knob of gnathos very
large, slightly longer than wide, tapered distally, caudal margin concave. Valva 3 x as long as wide, costa straight,
sacculus basally slightly convex; basal fold of costa extended to 1/5 length of valva, distal fold very narrow,
extended to 3/4 length of valva; cucullus narrow, bent towards costa. Digitate process 1/3 length of valva, very
narrow, weakly bent as S-shaped, sparsely covered with setae both medially and distally. Median plate of juxta
rounded, concave without lateral or posterior extensions. Juxta lobe somewhat produced, with a few setae on a
swelling on ventral surface; medial margin S-shaped, joining distal margin without an angle; distal margin weakly
convex, joining the straight lateral margin at a right angle. Vinculum narrow, V-shaped, without medial ridge.
Phallus 13 x as long as its width in the middle of its length, as long as valva; weakly bent at distal 2/3, somewhat
tapered towards apex; insertion of ductus ejaculatorius dorsally directed; caecum blunt, longer than width of basal
opening of phallus; distal opening extended to distal 5/6 of phallus; apex slightly upturned; along distal opening
sclerotization attached to vesica; cornuti absent.
Female genitalia. Unknown.
Biology. All specimens were collected with UV light trap. The habitat of the holotype is rainforest on
utramafic soils, with dominance of Gymnostoma (Casuarinaceae) vegetation (Holloway (1979); habitat of
paratypes is open maquis.
Distribution. New Caledonia.
Etymology. The name is derived from the Latin word vesper, ‘evening’. This refers to the pale grey forewing
colour.
Elachista cynopa Meyrick
Figs 7, 8, 16
Elachista cynopa Meyrick, 1897: 334.
Material examined from New Caledonia. New Caledonia 22°5’15’’S 166°26’30’’E Mt. Dzumac, 625 m,
2.Nov.1986 1 ♂ UV trap R. Brown & O. Pellmyr leg., genitalia slide by M. Metz USNM 146.431 (USNM).
Diagnosis. Elachista cynopa is a stout-bodied species with thick male antennae and forewing colour grey with
dark grey plical discal spots, with darker scales along fold and irregularly between the fold and dorsal margin. As
such, it is particularly similar to E. scoteina among New Caledonian species. The male genitalia of E cynopa are
characteristic in having a bifurcate apex of the phallus and the small, basally incised spinose knob of the gnathos. A
full description is given by Kaila (2011).
Biology. In Australia E. cynopa feeds on Lepidosperma laterale (Cyperaceae). It prefers shaded or semi-
shaded microhabitats. The mine is a 4–5 cm long, swollen chamber near the leaf tip. The larva is characteristically
ruby-coloured. For further details on morphology, see Kaila (2011).
Remarks. E. cynopa is a common species in eastern Australia in suitable habitats (Kaila 2011). It is the single
elachistine species to date known to occur both in Australia and New Caledonia.
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